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I The Call | 

| To | 

[ Human Betterment | 

I Progression | 



By 

ASAHEL PHELPS PICHEREAU 



Author of Machinery of the Heavens, \ 
The Rochew-Albimon, etc. 




| THE H. B. P. PUBLISHERS § 

| LANCASTER, PA. | 

( U. S. A. | 

[j 1916 jj 

1 /*£! 



HN1« 



JUN 2 9 1 °1? 



COPYRIGHT 1916 
By ASAHEL PHELPS PICHEREAU 



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"DEDICATION 

To the Fathers and Mothers and 
Sons and Daughters of Humanity; 
pas^ present and future: this cr Call to 
Human Betterment Progression' 7 is 
respectfully dedicated. 

A. P. P. 




LEVACI STRAWN PICHEREAU, Deceased 

Mother of Asahel Phelps Pichereau, and a pioneer of 

pioneer parentage in the settling of Marshall County, 

Illinois. "She sought for light and right and prayed 

and hoped for human betterment." 




ASAHEL PHELPS PICHEREAU 

Author of Machinery of the Heavens; The Rochew- 

Albimon; The Call to Human Betterment 

Progression, etc. 



The Call 

To 

Human Betterment Progression 



FOR some years last past, the people of this 
nation have been greatly awakened by 
political discussions on these three sub- 
jects: Conservation, Preparation and 
Progression. While we know and appreciate 
these factors in governmental affairs ; Conserva- 
tion should mean more than preserving its forests 
and such natural resources; Preparation should 
mean more than increasing its army and navy so 
that it may better maintain peace or prosecute a 
war, and Progression should mean more than 
placing vote catching planks in a political party 
platform. 

I am a Progressor for human betterment. In 
religion I am not wholly Orthodox Christian, but 
where I may be lacking in Faith, I endeavor to 
more than make up in Progressor morals. This 
means that I stand for that progression which 
most betters humanity and oppose all and every- 
thing that would morally subvert a person, a 
people or the human race. The time was when 
governments looked to their gods alone for the 
betterment of their people. Then came a time 
when they looked to' their gods first and science 
secondly for such betterment. And now comes 
a time when they look to science first and their 
gods secondly for all such betterment. In the 
olden time science got into religion by accident. 
Now it is put there by intention and effort. 

After having studied the religions of the past 
and present and contemplated one for the future, 
by a perusal of sentences and paragraphs includ- 
ing millions of words ; I might condense my con- 
clusions into this philosophical verse of fifteen 
words : — 

For a religious creed, this is the test; 

That which most betters humankind is best. 

That individual or that people who is superior 
to others in health, strength, size, form and 
beauty — other things being equal — will win in 
all contests, fights or wars with inferiors. The 
law of "the survival of the fittest" will not down ; 



and it should be the first, constant and greatest 
purpose of our schools, churches and kindred in- 
stitutions to use science, religion or any other 
means that will help to make our people supreme 
in health, strength, size, form and beauty. This 
condition which means happiness and prosperity 
cannot be attained by a people who will continue 
in the breeding and raising of sluggards, crim- 
inals, drunkards, prostitutes, imbeciles, idiots or 
defectives. Nor can a people or an individual be- 
come supreme through bad or intemperate habits, 
or by using a stimulant or a narcotic that mas- 
ters the mind and enslaves the body. 

Biology teaches that the human race has been 
evolving from the beginning of its existence and 
continually improving in many ways, but not in 
all ways. The use of any of the sciences in the 
Oldentime was in no way methodical, and where, 
by such efforts they improved little, they might 
have, by method, improved much. While in most 
ways we human beings may rightfully claim su- 
periority over "the fowls of the air and beasts of 
the fields," the eagle of the mountain crag and 
the tiger of the jungle might lead us, by their 
faithfulness and purity, to a higher standard of 
social living and show us the way to real decency, 
health and happiness. 

By the study of Anthropology we find what 
"the fall of man" really was and while investiga- 
ting and progressing in our researches we have 
found that the heads of governments in the Old- 
entime were too ignorant, cowardly or guilty to 
plainly and rightfully charge humanity with the 
gross crime of corrupting the race by a vile pollu- 
tion and prostitution of its sexual functions. The 
"fall" at first was low, but not so low as subse- 
quent subvertors have made it. From The 
Rochezv-Albimon I have selected this verse to 
show how that moral fall may be a continuous 
fall :— 

To fall as they fell was never so slow, 
But that the fallen might, yet, lower go. 

By Pathology we find that what may be called 
chronic human ills are generally traceable to ac- 
cident, ignorance or trespass. And that certain 
ills, occasioned by what is known as "the fall of 
man," are traceable to and in consequence of the 
transgressions of our ancestors who violated the 
most sacred functions of the human body by their 
vile and vicious conduct. 

From Genetic Psychology we learn that wrongs 
endured by a protesting, prayerful and hopeful 
ancestry may be righted by its descendants. The 
prayers and distressing appeals for help from 
an outraged and misguided ancestry have been 



heard ; and are moving me and will move millions 
to courageously strive and overcome all human 
subvertors; right our wrongs, and redeem our- 
selves from the harmful consequences of that 
"fall." 

When we have found the cause for a human 
ill, then it becomes our duty to avoid, prevent or 
cure it. In The Rochew-Albimon, Dun Albar 
has shown how, by a strict and persistent enforce- 
ment of certain virtues, every ill that has come 
to the human race from that "fall" may be elim- 
inated. 

A "special creation for man," advocate, would 
tie man to a stand-post and have him re- 
main quiescent while all nature about him is on 
the move. He is a reader of a livestock and 
poultry journal and has been convinced that, by 
scientific methods, livestock and poultry may be 
cultivated and bred to color, size, form, health, 
strength, action, beauty, disposition, intelligence 
and functions. We may have our fanciful no- 
tions about the creation of human beings by a 
Supernatural Power long ago. But now, when 
we come to their inevitable progression or retro- 
gression, we must face the real situation with 
courage, and with a mind of honesty and intelli- 
gence that can show how human beings may be 
cultivated and bred to complexion, size, form, 
health, strength, action, beauty, disposition, in- 
telligence and functions, by legitimate methods 
similar to those used in the cultivation and breed- 
ing of livestock and poultry. 

There may be found much good in all 1 the great 
religions of the world. The Christian. Jew, Mo- 
hammedan, Brahman, Hindu, Buddha, Con- 
fucian and Shinto are all endeavoring to help 
human beings to better situations. And I call 
upon them, each and all, to help us work' for the 
bettering of all the human race. 

I was born in this Christian country of Chris- 
tian parents, reared a Christian and became a 
member of a Christian church at the age of seven- 
teen ; and have, on many occasions, witnessed the 
love and sacrifices of Christians who faithfully 
labored for righteousness and hiiman betterment. 
And, as I know that the Christian Church en- 
deavors to stand for good government, good citi- 
zenship and a healthier, stronger, wiser and hap- 
pier people ; it is to that great Church and all its 
denominations, societies and associations that I 
especially appeal for help. For I know from the 
work they have done and are endeavoring to do 
that they may be great factors in forwarding this 
work and proclaiming the doctrine which would 



restore humanity to that pure and perfect condi- 
tion of social life which they enjoyed before their 
moral fall. 

It should not be found necessary in promoting 
Progressor morals to found a new organization. 
Religion is progressive, as all know who know 
its history ; Yet now a religion, as an individual, 
may claim a morality that is neither certain, right 
nor progressive ! This we would remedy and 
have one moral standard for all ! As we should 
have due regard for the opinions of others in 
all things, we should duly respect each other's 
religious views and harmonize, by compromise 
if necessary, for the general good. This "general 
good," as I view it, must be in line with Pro- 
gressor morals, which should lead us all to the 
highest standard of social living and teach us 
not only how to live right, but how to die right. 

It has been noticed that the revelations of The 
Rochew-Albimon have moved the Scientists and 
Religionists. They have been so awakened by 
its disclosures that within only a few months after 
the publication of that "lift to human better- 
ment," there was founded an Association at 
Washington, D. C, which, in its "announcement," 
declared, among other things, that — "Character 
education should be furnished all children, 
whether born into poverty or luxury, as an in- 
alienable right." And also declared for a "moral- 
ity code" in character education that they propose 
to develop some way and some lime; which may 
be our way and in due time. 

To reach the masses, sects and classes of this 
most heterogeneous people, by a morality law 
that stands for human betterment and is not seri- 
ously objectionable, such law should be a pledge, 
brief and plain, and enforceable without fear or 
favor, as a rule of moral conduct for every man, 
woman and child over ten years of age. Along 
with the necessary provisions in this law, as to its 
purpose, pledge signing, recording of pledge, and 
making it compulsory education and its enforce- 
ment certain ; said law shall be expressed and in- 
cluded in the following pledge frame : 

The Human Betterment Progressor 's Pledge 

This is to make known before all persons and 

powers of earth and heaven that I, 

, at the age of years, do 

hereby promise: To faithfully strive for the 
progressive moral betterment of myself, my fam- 
ily, my associates, my neighbors, my country and 
the human race ; to be honest, honorable, virtu- 
ous, industrious and economical and at all times 






faithful in maintaining the principles and pur- 
pose of this pledge. 

Done this day of 19 .... , at 

: in the county of 

. . , State of 

and nation of 

(Sign name in full on this line.) PledgOT. 

Witnesses : 



As to teaching and instructing in these moral 
betterment ways : This "call" includes, by word 
or implication, all that is necessary as a guide for 
such teaching and instructing. 

All humanity should agree, as to the best plan 
for "Natural betterment," though they may 
never agree as to the best plan for "Supernatural 
betterment." It is every person's duty to unite 
for Progressor morals, as has been proposed in 
this "call," whether they be pantheist, monotheist, 
polytheist, atheist, infidel or agnostic. We should, 
one and all, be allowed unlimited freedom in our 
religious hope and faith; provided such "hope 
and faith" does not conflict with this morality 
law, which is to be the law of the State and Na- 
tion for our general welfare. 

Many of our people, because they lack faith 
in the Supernatural, are called "unbelievers." It 
is to this class, and all classes who are with us for 
human betterment progression, that we dedicate 
the following prayer: Believing that a people, 
who would do most efficient work for human bet- 
terment, should put their hope and faith in one 
common pledge and one common prayer. This 
prayer appeals to all that is good in the universe 
for help, so as to bring together all good with 
its "spirit, influence and power" for our better- 
ment. To comprehend this great aggregation 
of good in a word, we call it Divinity ! which 
we personify ; not to make of it a personal god, 
but to bring all this good together in what we 
adore and revere as our Divinity. 

The Naturalist's and Supernaturalist's Prayer 

O, Divinity ! Thou good Spirit, influence and 
power of persons and things; help us to help 
Thee reform and improve the human race phy- 
sically, mentally and spiritually ; may good over- 
come all evil, and health, strength and content- 
ment everywhere prevail; may sons be superior 
to fathers and daughters superior to mothers and 
regeneration drive degeneration from human 



habitations ; and may we so help Thee in this 
good work that we may merit the choicest bless- 
ings of earth and heaven, now and forever : 
Amen ! 

The words "divinity'' and "spirit," as found 
in this prayer, may be interpreted by Naturalists 
to mean properties and qualities "of persons and 
things," while Supernaturalists may find in these 
words synonyms for their gods, demigods, spirits, 
principles, elements, images, idols and objects of 
their adoration and worship. As discord and 
hatred have made creeds and the conflicts of 
creeds; so harmony and love, by a most kindly 
union of interests in our pledge and prayer, will 
bring peace, prosperity and happiness to all. 

Sex-Hygiene has been one of my special studies 
for more than twenty years, last past ; and some 
of my conclusions may be briefly considered in 
this "call." The declaration in our "pledge" as 
to honesty, honor and virtue are of great im- 
portance in sex-hygiene, for this would eliminate 
many human ills ; not the least of which will be 
venereal diseases with their hereditary compli- 
cations. There are governments that punish the 
crime of unchastity with death ; and results show 
that severe penalties dealt out to those who vio- 
late a wise morality law is conducive to that peo- 
ple's health, strength, happiness and prosperity. 

The child should inherit all things most de- 
sirable from its parents and each succeeding 
generation should improve on the last. Then we 
may soon have repealed certain laws made for 
the protection of weaklings and sluggards. For 
then, children at ten and adults at eighty will be 
found able and willing to earn an honest living 
by work, if necessary. And others, those nearer 
the prime of life will be found able and willing to 
earn an honest living by working fourteen hours 
a day, if necessary. 

As to marriage or celibacy? Marriage is more 
natural, honorable and important. There may be 
excuses for celibacy that should be allowed. But 
only excuses on account of mental or physical 
unsoundness should be encouraged. As to the 
marrying age? It may be "better late than 
never." But the early marriage is best, and rela- 
tives, friends and all should encourage young 
folks in these unions of interests for happiness, 
prosperity and human betterment. 

Along with my pathological researches for the 
causes of human ills, occasioned by that "moral 
fall," I have discovered causes for ills that have 
but little connection with that "fall." Appendi- 
citis : That much dreaded disease, which phy- 
sicians know better how to treat than tell the well 

3477-179^1 
Lot-X 



person how to prevent, may come from one or 
more than one cause; and these causes when 
known may be avoided and the disease prevented. 
"An ounce of prevention is better than a pound 
of cure" is a truism that has come from human 
experience. When sickness and disease is ap- 
parent and certain; then avoidance and preven- 
tion may not be so important as a specific rem- 
edy or cure. These remedies and cures are gen- 
erally administered by physicians, who are known 
professionally as doctors of medicine and sur- 
gery. And it is to these doctors and all other 
doctors, under our pledge law, that we should 
look for assistance in the cause of human better- 
ment progression. 

The doctor who will have subscribed to our 
pledge law must use improved prophylactical and 
therapeutical methods in the prevention and cure 
of human ills, and, so help to promote hygienic 
conditions that the money-making-health-destroy- 
ing-style-designer-and-vender will be a thing of 
the past. 

There was a time when professional doctors 
had but little use for psychology, — as a cure. But 
now, the doctors who fail to use the necessary 
psychological influences in their practice must 
fail as practitioners. We have found that from 
Metaphysics, Mental Science has been developed 
and Psychology comprehended, so that the in- 
telligence of today may see the Naturalist and 
Supernaturalist securing healing balms from the 
same fountain source through different con- 
ductors. 

While I have expected and might await the 
developing processes of others in proposing, en- 
acting and enforcing a moral law for human bet- 
terment. The time has come when I do no 
longer "expect" or "wait." And now, with a 
strong desire for human betterment and an abid- 
ing faith in this undertaking, — I call upon the 
President and Congress; Governors and legis- 
lators ; mayors and aldermen, and all societies, as- 
sociations and people of our State and Nation to 
make and enforce our pledge law, as the surest 
and best guide for human betterment progres- 
sion. 

In this "call" I have formulated a plan for hu- 
man betterment in the welcome light of a new 
Biology, Anthropology, Pathology, Psychology 
and Philosophy. And it now becomes the privi- 
lege and duty of every man, woman and child 
to engage in this labor of love ; satisfy their de- 
sire to do good ; and hope for such other recom- 
pence as may be awarded the good and faithful 
in this most important cause. 



The principles we promote and maintain in this 
"call" are political, philosophical and religious 
and intended to influence all persons for human 
betterment progression. While we may now be 
political and philosophical, we do not yet claim 
a distinctness in religion for we pray and hope 
and expect that Religionists will do their duty 
in helping to enact and enforce our proposed 
Morality law. Should this law fail to be enacted 
and enforced by this State and this Nation be- 
fore July 1 6th, 1 918, the anniversary of my 
mother's birth, we shall then organize our forces 
for political, philosophical and religious progres- 
sion and win our way by a thorough and efficient 
organization. Until then we will hope for the 
best. And until that time I shall continue to be 
the director of this human betterment progres- 
sion cause and ask for advice and encouragement 
from those who would help it along to a glorious 
success. 

Yours truly, 

A. P. PlCHEREAU. 

Lancaster, Pa., U. S. A. 
September 24th, 1916 



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